Critically evaluate research into eating disorders - Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

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Jack Waters

Critically evaluate research into eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are the two main types of eating disorders that have been found, mainly in the western world.

The term Anorexia Nervosa means Loss of appetite, but sufferers of Anorexia Nervosa do not actually have a loss of appetite, in fact most of the people with Anorexia have normal appetites and will most likely be very hungry, but they will still behave as if they have lost their appetite. The A.P.A (American Psychiatric Association) (1994) states that Anorexia occurs in 0.5-1.0 % of females in late adolescence or early adulthood.

The main characteristic of Anorexia Nervosa is the constant obsession of bodyweight and sufferers will usually be under the minimum expected bodyweight but will still be afraid of putting on weight or gaining body fat. Their food intake is usually restricted to 600-700 calories per day.

Bulimia Nervosa sufferers are very different they tend to induce themselves in secret binge eating, but then rid their bodies of the food usually by self induced vomiting, the over use of laxatives or sometimes by excessive exercising. Unlike